A CHURCH near Stroud has confirmed the cause of the fire which scorched numerous graves on Friday while adding that further action has since been taken.
The fire, at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Minchinhampton, was brought under control thanks to quick action from residents and emergency services on Friday.
Long grass has now been cut to reduce fire risk after the blaze.
The church says that extreme weather conditions had caused the fire which saw residents use garden hoses and buckets of water to contain the flames before they reached nearby homes and the church building.
A spokesperson for the church said: "The fire service has confirmed that Friday's fire in the Churchyard was caused by the extreme weather conditions we are currently experiencing.
"To help minimise risk our contractor has cut all the long grass in the Churchyard and volunteers have helped to bag it up ready to be taken away.
"Many thanks to all those who reacted so quickly to put the fire out and who have assisted since."
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A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called at 11.38am to a grassfire in a graveyard off Bell Lane in Minchinhampton.
"One fire engine, from Stroud, attended the scene and used one hose reel to extinguish the fire. The stop message was received at 12.32pm."
The church previously thanked the community and emergency services for their support during the incident.
An onlooker said: "Locals turned out in force with garden hoses and buckets of water to contain a fire in Minchinhampton churchyard.
"They succeeded in stopping the flames as they spread towards the boundary wall with neighbouring houses and towards the church."
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